Adv. Juma Mabor Marial
Juba, South Sudan
It is obvious that South Sudanese like many other activists across the globe are disenfranchised by the outcomes of the recent election in Uganda as this is seen to be direct slap on democracy and blatant entrenchment of dictatorship in the region but I am of a contrary opinion on this, instead, the recent election has shown another approach to democratic change.
I know a lot of fingers are already crossed waiting to hear from me this approach and it is simple, Bobi Wine might not have won as was popularly and widely desired by the region but he has nonetheless, made a strong statement on democratic reforms that need to take place in Uganda and this is how gradually things should be done.
The statement he made resoundingly is ensuring that the NRM formation is shattered by defeating all the heavy weights that use to surround Museveni and this gives him numbers in Parliament which in the long run, will help the country reform laws including electoral laws which have long entrenched dictatorship tendencies.
He didn’t have to win to achieve this goal as democratic changes have to be taken one step at a time.
The same is what we aspire for in South Sudan – hold elections and we do the screening from the Five Vice Presidents to bottom and the rest will come automatically. This is an MOU that we can sign with Mr. President on uncertain terms that, take us to elections but we will just give you a weak candidate and you rig yourself in as we clear the ground for you and this will even help you in getting rid of those who have been a liability in your government as they usually rebel whenever you reshuffle them.
Bobi Wine in my opinion has won for both the people of Uganda and Mr. Museveni and there is no reason why we should so bitter. He will make it next time. Meanwhile, let’s take it up from here for South Sudan.